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Friday, 19 May 2017

A milestone for a family favourite

Hugh
Bonneville and I have something in common - that is a real interest and
fondness for the Weald and Downland Living Museum.

I only discovered
this on Thursday evening as he opened the museum’s amazing Visitor Centre.

Of course
many of you feel the same passion about this Living Open Air Museum, as it has
grown and developed over the decades.

The new
visitor centre is another important milestone in its history.

It was four
years ago when I, together with other Council members, was invited to the
museum to learn about their plans for a visitor centre which provided not only
an additional offer on those rather soggy summer days but would further enhance
the learning and education they can offer there as well.

We were
impressed by their innovative and ambitious plans. It was a multimillion
project and at the time they were bidding for Heritage Lottery Funding. As part
of that funding process the support of local councils is important. The
educational case and tourist offer which would boost the local rural economy
was very strong so we gave our support, provided £100,000 through West Sussex
County Council Kickstart funding as well as a project support officer to
support them through this project.

This is
just one example how and when West Sussex County Council can help. Going round
the Visitor Centre I felt so proud to have played a small part to bring this
plan to reality.

Like so many
people over the years my family has enjoyed days out at the Weald and Downland
Museum – now my grandchild visits with me when she stays and it is one of her
favourites.

It is a
perfect way to explore the past, the buildings, their purpose how we interacted
with nature, livestock and the environment to live. From that we see how we
have evolved over the centuries and how some things stay the same, it also
highlights the importance of nature in our lives too. The visitor centre brings
all of this to life under one roof and reminds us too of old customs and
practices such as putting a shoe in the chimney for good luck! Not something
our Fire and Rescue Service would approve nowadays!

We are on
the third year of promoting the Great Outdoors – this centre is yet another
pearl in the string of pearls that the great outdoors in West Sussex has to
offer. Well worth a visit.